Golf putting device

ABSTRACT

A golf putting device having chimes mounted on a frame thereby providing a target area corresponding to a golf club. When struck by a golf ball, the chimes act as non-visual indicators indicating when the target area has been struck by a golf ball and indicating the degree of error when a golf ball misses the target area. The chimes consist of elongated plates pivotally mounted to a frame which are capable of swinging at impact with a golf ball to impact a contact rod which includes tonal resonance within the chime. The various tones are selected to be distinctive in order that they may be audibly distinguished.

United States Patent Willis, deceased 51 Mar. 25, 1975 GOLF PUTTING DEVICE Filed: June 23, 1972 Appl. No.: 265,634

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1875 Draper 273/1021 B 3/1931 Byers 273/184 A X 2/1967 Brandell 273/184 A X 3,575,559 4/1971 Tierney 273/184 A X Primary Examiner-George .l. Marlo Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Lyon & Lyon [57] ABSTRACT A golf putting device having chimes mounted on a frame thereby providing a target area corresponding to a golf club. When struck by a golf ball, the chimes act as non-visual indicators indicating when the target area has been struck by a golf ball and indicating the degree of error when a golf ball misses the target area. The chimes consist of elongated plates pivotally mounted to a frame which are capable of swinging at impact with a golf ball to impact a contact rod which includes tonal resonance within the chime. The various tones are selected to be distinctive in order that they may be audibly distinguished.

GOLF PUTTING DEVICE The present invention relates to a game device and more particularly relates to a golf putting device which can be used to improve a persons putting.

Several golf putting devices have been developed in the past which generally simulate actual putting conditions and thereby permit a person to practice his putting away from the putting green of a golf course. Often times, however, these heretofore used putting devices, because of their operation, fail to prevent or in some instances even create habits which are detrimental to a. persons putting game.

One bad habit commonly associated with poor putting involves the lifting of a persons head during the putting stroke. This tendency of the person to lift his head is due to a natural inclination to view the golf ball as it progresses towards a golf cup and thereby determine if the ball is following the path to the cup or, more importantly, determine the degree of deviation of the ball from that path in order to correct subsequent putts.

Certain practice putting devices now in use are provided with non-visual means, such as a buzzer, indicating when a golf ball strikes the cup or target area corresponding to a golf cup thereby indicating a correct putt. However, such devices fail to include means to indicate the degree of erior when the golf ball misses the target area without actually watching the ball and for this reason the inclination of the person to lift his head during the putting stroke is not corrected when practicing with these putting devices. Moreover, the non-visual indicators for such putting devices generally require an independent power source which limits the use of the device.

Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a golf putting device which indicates when a golf ball strikes a target area corresponding to a golf cup and which will further indicate the degree of error when the ball misses the target area all without requiring the putter to view the ball as it progresses towards the target area.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf putting device which is simple and economical to manufacture and which requires no independent power source for operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable golf putting device for improving a persons putting accuracy which can be used inside or outside on a carpeted area or on any other relatively smooth surface corresponding to a putting green.

In accordance with the above objects, the present invention includes a frame having side support members which define a path on a surface corresponding to a putting surface and which support a cross-beam member in an elevated position over the surface and across the path. Non-visual indicators are pivotally suspended fromthe beam for swinging movement with the lower end of the indicators normally being a distance from the surface less than the diameter of a golf ball. At least one of the indicators is associated with a target area in the path while the other indicators are spaced at inter vals therefrom. The indicators announce a strike of the target area by a golf ball and also announce the degree of error when a golf misses the target area.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be made readily apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the device illustrating in phantom lines a golf ball striking an indicator associated with the target area;

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the devicetaken substantially on the lines 3-3 of FIG. 2 illustrating the operation of the device after a golf ball has struck an indicator associated with the target area.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the golf putting device of the present invention, generally designated 10, is adapted to be placed on any flat surface 12, either indoors or outdoors, which generally corre sponds to the putting green of a golf course. One such surface found to be particularly suitable is a smooth carpet.

The putting device 10 generally comprises a frame assembly 14 with side support members 16 and 18 which are spaced apart and support therebetween in an elevated position a substantially horizontal cross-beam 20. The side supports 16 and 18 are adapted to rest on the surface 12 and define therebetween on the surface 12 a path through which a putted golf ball designated by the phantom lines 22 is adapted to .pass.

Suspended from the elevated beam and spaced at intervals along the length thereof area plurality of elongated plates 24, each of which comprises a metal chime member. The chime members 24 are preferably arranged in a series being adapted to produce a particular and different tone than the other pairs of chimes 24. For example, the first pair of chimes adjacent one side support would be adapted to produce a particular tone and each succeeding pair of chimes 24 in the series extending along the beam 20 would be adapted to produce a progressively lower tone with the pair of chimes adjacent the other side support adapted to produce the lowest tone. In the particular embodiment illustrated, five pairs 26, 28, 30, 32, and 34 are provided, but more or less pairs could be provided without deviating from the scope of the present invention.

The chimes 24 comprising a pair are identical, but in order to vary the tones adapted to be produced by each pair, the length of the chimes 24 of one pair are different from the length of the chimes 24 of the other pairs. However, the lower end 36 of each chime 24 is positioned at the same distance above the surface 12 and this distance is less than the diameter of a golf ball as indicated by FIGS. 2 and 3.

The spacing between each chime and the total width encompassed by a pair of chimes may vary, but a threefourth inch spacing and a 3 inch width between the outside edges of a pair has been found to be acceptable. In addition, the exact distance from the lower ends 36 of the chimes to the surface 12 should be adjusted according to the lateral space between the chimes whereby a golf ball will engage at least one of the chimes whenever the golf ball rolls through the path and beyond the chimes.

The middle chime pair 30 generally defines a target area of the putting device which generally represents a golf cup. The pair 30 may be painted or otherwise provided with means to designate the target area. It should, however, be noted that the width of the target area defined by the outside edges of the chimes of pair 30, as indicated by FIG. 2, is not as wide as the diameter of a golf cup for reasons hereafter set forth. It should also 3 be noted that the target area could also be defined by means extending upwardly from the beam and above the middle pair of chimes.

The mounting of the upper portion of each chime member to the beam is illustrated in detail in FIG. 3 and is generally designated 38. The mounting 38 includes a pin member or nail 40 with one end portion embedded into the side of the beam 20 and the other end extending outwardly therefrom. A preferably resilient rubber sleeve 42 extending co-axially on the pin member 40 and having a pair of axially spaced circumferential flanges-44 and 46 is adapted to carry a chime member thereon at a position spaced from the side of the beam 20. The chime members are each provided with a central opening 48 in the upper portion thereof through which the sleeve 42 extends with the circumferential flanges 44 and 46 on each side of the chime member thereby maintaining the chime member at a pre-determined position with respect to the beam 20. The size of the opening 48 and the resilient nature of the sleeve 42 permit a limited swinging movement of the chime member 24 both backwards and forwards as indicated by the phantom lines 50 in FIG. 3. The position of the mounting member or connecting member 38' withrespect to the top and bottom edges of the beam 20 varies for each pair of chime members according to their length in order to normally maintain the lower ends 36 of the chimes at the same distance from the surface 12.

Extending between the side supports adjacent the front side of the chime members 24 is a metal rod or contact member 52. The rod 52 extends across the path and above the surface 12 a distance greater than the diameter of a golf ball. Generally, the distance of the rod 52 from the surface 12 exceeds 2 inches. A shorter second bar or contact member 54 is suspended by lines 56 from the beam 20 and extends horizontally adjacent the backside of the middle pair of chimes only. This second contact member 54 is also preferably a chime member adapted to produce a particular distinctive sound. 1

In' operation of the putting device 10, the device is placed on a smooth surface such as a carpet approxifrom the putting position. The person putting then aims for the target area or more particularly, the middle pair of chimes which if struck would represent a correct putt. The correct method of putting requires a person to'keep his head down while putting and thus, visual observation of the golf ball during its progress toward the putting device should be avoided.

When a putted golf ball moves through the path, it engages at least one of the chime members and in some instances two of the chime members which swing rearwardly under the influence of the impact with the lower ends 36 rising to permit the golf ball to pass thereunder. After a chime member 24 is caused to move rearwardly because of the impact of a golf ball, gravity and the resilient sleeve member cause the chime to swingin the opposite direction and forwardly of its normal vertical position as indicated in FIG. 3. During the forward swing of the chime member 24, the chime member strikes the ,rod 52 therebyproducing a' particular 4 by the putted golf ball and will thereby indicate the position of the golf ball with respect to the target area. For example, the chime members on one side of the center pair 30 or target area may produce successively higher notes when they strike the bar 52 while the chime members on the other side of the center pair 30 will produce successively lower notes. With respect to the center pair 30, it should be noted that whenever a chime member 24 of this pair is engaged by a golf ball two sounds will be produced, one when the chime member or chime members swing rearwardly to contact the bar 54 and one when the chime member or chime members swing forwardly to contact the bar 52. Only a single sound will occur when the chime members of the other pairs are struck by a golf ball, that is, sound will occur only when the chime member swings forwardly to contact the bar 52. Thus, a strike of the target area is clearly indicated by the particular sound adapted to be produced by the middle pair of chimes and by the two sounds produced when those chimes contact the chime bar 54 and then contact the rod 52. Whenever one of the chime members of the center pair 30 is struck and two sounds are produced the putt can be considered to be a correct putt. This is true even though the golf ball may strike only one of the chime members of the center pair 30 and is also true when the golf ball strikes one of the chime members of the center pair 30 and one of the chime members of an adjacent pair 28 or 32 because a golf cup, as indicated by FIG. 2, would extend beyond the outer edge of the chime members of the center pair and in order for the golf ball to contact a chime member of the center pair 30 it must be within an area equal an area defined by the edges of a golf cup. Whenever a single sound is produced, the

person putting will know that the putted golf ball has deviated from the target area. The particular sound produced will also indicate the side of the target area to which the golf ball has deviated and the degree of deviation to that side by the golf ball.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A golf putting device, comprising:

a frame including a beam member with said supports at each end thereof, said side supports adapted to support said beam over a putting surface and defining a path therebetween through which a golf ball is adapted to pass;

a contact member extending between said supports;

a plurality of chimes pivotally suspended from said beam with the lower end of each said chime being a distance from said putting surface less than the diameter of a golf ball, each said chime being an elongated plate capable of being pivoted into contact with said contact member;

at least one of said chimes defining a target area corresponding to a golf cup and adapted to produce a distinctive sound after being struck by a golf ball; and,

said other chimes being spaced from said target area and adapted to produce various other distinctive sounds after being struck by a golf ball according totheir position with respect to said target area to indicate non-visually the degree of error of each putt.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said chimes defining said target area extend in width a distance less than the actual diameter of a golf cup, said width and said distance of said lower ends from said putting surface 1 being adjusted to permit a strike by a golf ball which under corresponding conditions on a putting green would fall into the golf cup.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said chimes are pivotally mounted on a resilient sleeve member which assists in providing a predetermined swinging movement of said chimes.

4. A golf putting device, comprising:

a frame member adapted to be placed on a putting surface and defining a path through which a golf ball is adapted to pass;

means associated with said frame defining a target area corresponding to a golf cup; and

non-visual indicator means suspended from said frame member and elevated from the putting surface a distance less than the diameter of a golf ball whereby a golf ball moving through said path engages said non-visual indicator means and displaces same, said non-visual indicator means including a first indicator in said path in alignment with said target area and a second indicator in said path in non-alignment with said target area, said first indicator indicating a strike of said target area by a golf ball and said second indicator indicating the degree to which a golf ball misses said target area, said sec- 0nd non-visual indicator means having substantially varied non-visual indications for easy nonvisual discrimination thereof, a plurality of elongated chimes adapted to produce particular sounds defining said first and second indicators, each said chime having an upper end pivotally attached to said frame member and a free lower end which is adapted to be engaged by a golf ball and swung thereby as the golf ball passes;

a first bar connected to said frame member and suspended over said path a distance greater than the diameter of a golf ball, said first bar being adjacent one side of said chimes and adapted to be contacted by said chimes when swung and thereby co- .operate with said swinging chimes to produce one sound indicating a strike of said target area by the golf ball and other sounds indicating the degree the golf ball misses said target area.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein a second bar is operably connected to said frame member and suspended 

1. A golf putting device, comprising: a frame including a beam member with said supports at each end thereof, said side supports adapted to support said beam over a putting surface and defining a path therebetween through which a golf ball is adapted to pass; a contact member extending between said supports; a plurality of chimes pivotally suspended from said beam with the lower end of each said chime being a distance from said putting surface less than the diameter of a golf ball, each said chime being an elongated plate capable of being pivoted into contact with said contact member; at least one of said chimes defining a target area corresponding to a golf cup and adapted to produce a distinctive sound after being struck by a golf ball; and said other chimes being spaced from said target area and adapted to produce various other distinctive sounds after being struck by a golf ball according to their position with respect to said target area to indicate non-visually the degree of error of each putt.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said chimes defining said target area extend in width a distance less than the actual diameter of a golf cup, said width and said distance of said lower ends from said putting surface being adjusted to permit a strike by a golf ball which under corresponding conditions on a putting green would fall into the golf cup.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said chimes are pivotally mounted on a resilient sleeve member which assists in providing a predetermined swinging movement of said chimes.
 4. A golf putting device, comprising: a frame member adapted to be placed on a putting surface and defining a path through which a golf ball is adapted to pass; means associated with said frame defining a target area corresponding to a golf cup; and non-visual indicator means suspended from said frame member and elevated from the putting surface a distance less than the diameter of a golf ball whereby a golf ball moving through said path engages said non-visual indicator means and displaces same, said non-visual indicator means including a first indicator in said path in alignment with said target area and a second indicator in said path in non-alignment with said target area, said first indicatoR indicating a strike of said target area by a golf ball and said second indicator indicating the degree to which a golf ball misses said target area, said second non-visual indicator means having substantially varied non-visual indications for easy non-visual discrimination thereof, a plurality of elongated chimes adapted to produce particular sounds defining said first and second indicators, each said chime having an upper end pivotally attached to said frame member and a free lower end which is adapted to be engaged by a golf ball and swung thereby as the golf ball passes; a first bar connected to said frame member and suspended over said path a distance greater than the diameter of a golf ball, said first bar being adjacent one side of said chimes and adapted to be contacted by said chimes when swung and thereby cooperate with said swinging chimes to produce one sound indicating a strike of said target area by the golf ball and other sounds indicating the degree the golf ball misses said target area.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein a second bar is operably connected to said frame member and suspended over said path a distance greater than the diameter of a golf ball, said second bar being adjacent the other side of said chimes in alignment with said target area and adapted to be contacted thereby when a chime in alignment with said target area is swung to produce an additional sound indicating a strike of said target area by the golf ball. 